About

CROSSNIQ+ (CROSSNIQ Plus) is a speed-driven, score-based puzzle game that's been described as "a cross between Bejeweled and a Rubik's cube", designed for both casual and hardcore play.

As the name implies, CROSSNIQ+ is a follow-up to my recently released puzzle game, CROSSNIQ. CROSSNIQ was released for free on November 20th, 2017 as a browser-based game. You can play it right now by clicking the link above!

I created CROSSNIQ not only as a standalone game, but as a proof-of-concept for a bigger title. CROSSNIQ+ is what CROSSNIQ was always intended to be - a fully-fledged puzzle game with multiple modes, multiplayer, and a more polished presentation, which will see release on multiple platforms.

PC, Mac, and Linux are already lock-in platforms, and a Nintendo Switch version is currently being explored.

Vision/Inspiration

CROSSNIQ+ is a love letter to Japanese puzzle games of the late 90's, and draws aesthetic inspiration from the so-called "y2k" era of graphic and visual design that I and so many players grew up with.

I earnestly started playing video games in the late 90's, during the "golden age" of arcade puzzle games - a genre that I quickly fell in love with. Super Puzzle Fighter II, Money Idol Exchanger, Tetris The Grand Master, Land Maker, and Cleopatra's Fortune became some of my favorites. The sleek, hip, fun-loving and colorful atmosphere of Japanese games on consoles like the PS1 and Dreamcast was a huge creative influence in my young life, and part of the reason I got into game development in the first place.

Another formative element of my young creative mind was a very distinctive style of graphic and industrial design that's being referred to nowadays as "y2k" - an aesthetic defined by dreams of futuristic bio-technology, streamlined and playfully unorthodox typography, the excitement of the coming digital media boom, and a love for rave culture. Creators like The Designers Republic and Karim Rashid defined the look, feel, and philosophy of this era. You can learn more about the y2k era of design on blogs like the Y2K Aesthetic Institute.

To me, all of the design elements of y2k embodied a sense of hope and optimism for the 21st century and beyond, one that I've done my best to hold close even as the present day grows more and more uncertain. Growing up, y2k was the future to me, and the spirit and hope of that future within me never really died. I want to make a y2k-inspired game like CROSSNIQ+ in order to turn a little bit of that fantasy future into reality; by creating a game celebrating the design that inspired hope in me, I might inspire that same hope in others - and maybe even have some fun doing it!

CROSSNIQ+ has a simple premise - slide tiles on your playing field to make a "cross" (an intersection of a full row and a full column of the same color) and clear them from the field!

The faster you go, the more points you get - speed bonuses, as well as bonuses for multiple crosses in a single clear, will net you a big score.

However, as any good puzzle game would tell you, it's never that easy! In CROSSNIQ+, you'll be racing against the clock - a timer is always ticking, and if it hits zero, it's GAME OVER.

Every time you make a cross, you'll refill the clock! There, back to simple and easy... right?

Not so fast. You'll also have to deal with Locked and Frozen tiles, which restrict your movement. As time grows ever shorter, you'll need quick thinking and lightning speed to go with the flow and work around these hazards!

Versus Mode adds even more to the mix - by achieving speed bonuses or multi-cross bonuses, you can send hazard tiles to your opponent's field! You can even use special items to ruin their day, much like Puyo Puyo Tetris or Tetris The Grand Master!

In Versus Mode, you'll be able to play as a wide variety of colorful, anime-inspired characters (more to come!) - and, depending on how well this KS does, you may be seeing more of them in a dedicated Story Mode! (See Stretch Goals for more details).

If competition is less your style, you can push your skills to the limit in Endless Mode (the current mode in the base version of CROSSNIQ)...

...test your speed in Time Attack mode, which gives you a limited amount of time to earn as many points as you can...

...or simply relax in Chillout Mode! No rules, no pressure - just make crosses at your leisure, and enjoy the sights and sounds. For optimal relaxation, you'll even be able to pick from several Skins to customize the look of your Chillout sesson.

Tons of other cool modes are planned as Stretch Goals - make sure to check them out!

Fresh Tunes!

It's not a late 90's puzzle game without some drum n bass bangers, and the CROSSNIQ/CROSSNIQ+ soundtrack takes inspiration from some of the most iconic video game soundtracks of the era, like Ape Escape and Super Monkey Ball. Listen to some of the tracks here - more are on the way!

COSMIQ

SEISMIQ

OPTIMISTIQ

MOSAIQ

Backer Rewards

Any amount of financial support you can contribute is vastly appreciated - thank you for taking CROSSNIQ+ one step closer to reality! If you donate at some of the higher pledge levels, here are some of the cool things you could get as thanks!

2/16 - 2/19 EXCLUSIVE TIER - CROSSNIQ+ MINIDISC Soundtrack Bundle - This is a special limited-time tier! In addition to all of the rewards leading up to this tier, feast your ears on a physical copy of the CROSSNIQ+ soundtrack written to a Minidisc! This is an INCREDIBLY limited quantity reward - scoop one up before they're gone!

Thank You! - As thanks for your support, your name will appear in the credits!

CROSSNIQ+ - this reward speaks for itself. A digital copy of the game for your platform of choice!

T-Shirt - A game so stylish, you can even wear it! This all-over-print t-shirt will be as bold and eye-catching as CROSSNIQ+ itself.

Chillout Designer - CROSSNIQ+'s Chillout Mode is a showcase for cool visuals - with this reward, you can show yours off, too! Design your very own skin for Chillout Mode with the help of our staff, and see it featured in the finished game.

Beta Testing - If you've gotta have it before anyone else, here's your chance! This reward lets you participate in the closed CROSSNIQ+ beta to help improve and shape the game!

CROSSNIQ+ Commemorative Glass Cube - The ultimate CROSSNIQ+ collector's item for the ultimate backer! A laser-etched glass cube, containing the CROSSNIQ+ logo, set on an LED-lit base - along with a personalized letter of thanks stamped with a serial number for authenticity.

Stretch Goals

Having CROSSNIQ+ funded in the first place is an absolute dream for everyone involved. Nevertheless, we've got more big ideas, and we'd love to see some of them come true! Here are the stretch goals we have planned - some goals are locked for now, but we'll update this chart as goals are reached.

Funding Info

Out of the gate, I want to establish transparent communication regarding CROSSNIQ+'s budget allocation and funding sources. $15,000 of funding has already been secured for the project - in order to reach the minimum project budget of $25,000, a minimum of $10,000 is being raised here on Kickstarter.

While numbers are still being tweaked, also included is a rough breakdown of funding allocation for CROSSNIQ+. This chart will be updated with any significant changes as time goes on.

Project Risks

Having planned for CROSSNIQ+ from the beginning, I worked hard to mitigate risk by making CROSSNIQ a polished and performant standalone product. With the systems I've already built, I'm confident that any technical risk (e.g. risk related to programming or performance) for CROSSNIQ+ is minimal.

CROSSNIQ will serve as the codebase for CROSSNIQ+, and it has already been optimized for high performance across various pieces of low-horsepower hardware.

The real challenge of this project will be time and dedication - and your support of this Kickstarter will help ensure that everyone working on CROSSNIQ+ will be paid, meaning that we can all focus our hardest on giving you the best game possible!

Thank You!

Thank you all SO much to everyone who has helped this project, whether you've just donated today or have supported CROSSNIQ+ back when it was just CROSSNIQ. Let's Cross! Aim for THE TOP!!

Risks and challenges

(Reposted from "PROJECT RISKS" section)

Having planned for CROSSNIQ+ from the beginning, I worked hard to mitigate risk by making CROSSNIQ a polished and performant standalone product. With the systems I've already built, I'm confident that any technical risk (e.g. risk related to programming or performance) for CROSSNIQ+ is minimal.

CROSSNIQ will serve as the codebase for CROSSNIQ+, and it has already been optimized for high performance across various pieces of low-horsepower hardware.

The real challenge of this project will be time and dedication - and your support of this Kickstarter will help ensure that everyone working on CROSSNIQ+ will be paid, meaning that we can all focus our hardest on giving you the best game possible!

Support

Make a pledge without a reward

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $1 or more
About $1.00

Spread The Word!

Even $1 makes a difference - it helps you spread the word on social media that you've backed a project! Please help get the word out about CROSSNIQ+! You'll be in the loop on backer updates, just like the $5 tier.

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $100 or more
About $100

Merch Maniac Bundle

If you can't live without gaming swag, this is the tier for you! Show your support proudly with a CROSSNIQ+ all-over-print t-shirt AND a CROSSNIQ+ poster! (Includes previous rewards, beta access, and a copy of the game.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $150 or more
About $150

CROSSNIQ+ Chillout Designer Bundle

This special tier lets you design your very own skin for Chillout mode (background, tile colors/patterns, etc.)! We'll work with you to incorporate your images or motifs and make your vision shine! No NSFW content, please. (Includes previous rewards, beta access, and a copy of the game.)

Kickstarter is not a store.

Pledge $250 or more
About $250

LET'S CROSS! AIM FOR THE TOP!! Bundle

The ultimate tier for the ultimate fan! Your passion for CROSSNIQ+ will be immortalized inside a laser-cut glass cube with the game logo, complete with an LED-lit base. In addition, a hand-stamped letter of thanks and authenticity will be provided. Thank you for believing in us! (Includes previous rewards, beta access, and a copy of the game.)